A large-scale strike involving 15,000 nurses began on January 12 in New York City, marking one of the largest such actions in recent history. The strike erupted after failed negotiations between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and several major hospitals in Manhattan and the Bronx, including Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Montefiore Medical Center. Nurses are seeking improved pay, better benefits, and enhanced workplace security, following a series of violent incidents at hospitals in the area.
The recent shooting of a patient at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, who had taken two people hostage, and a similar incident at Mount Sinai last November, where a man threatened to shoot up the hospital, are central to the nurses’ concerns. These incidents have highlighted the risks nurses face in their daily work, and the union argues that greater protection is needed. The strike has affected five hospitals across Manhattan, including major facilities on the Upper East and West Sides.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani showed his support for the striking nurses by joining the picket line at a Mount Sinai hospital in Washington Heights. “This strike is not just about wages or benefits, although both are important,” Mamdani said. “It is about who benefits from the healthcare system. There is no shortage of wealth in the healthcare industry, especially at the wealthiest hospital groups in New York City.”
The hospitals involved in the strike have argued that recent cuts to healthcare funding, particularly the Trump administration’s $1 billion Medicaid reduction, have placed their finances in a precarious position. They also pointed to the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies at the beginning of January, which could lead to millions of Americans losing their insurance due to rising premiums.
In a statement, NewYork-Presbyterian maintained that despite the strike, the hospitals were ensuring that patients would continue to receive care. “We remain focused on our patients and are taking necessary steps to continue providing the care they trust,” the statement read. “We are committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that acknowledges the challenges of today’s healthcare environment.”
Mount Sinai, on the other hand, criticized the NYSNA’s demands, calling them “extreme.” The hospital stated it was prepared to maintain patient care with 1,400 specialized nurses and would continue negotiations. “Unfortunately, NYSNA decided to move forward with its strike while refusing to compromise on its economic demands,” a spokesperson said.
Montefiore Medical Center also voiced strong opposition to the union’s position, accusing the nurses of making unreasonable demands, including a nearly 40% wage increase and controversial proposals regarding job termination policies. “We are committed to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike lasts,” said Joe Solmonese, Montefiore’s senior VP of strategic communications.
The union, however, countered that the hospitals’ decision to hire temporary, non-union nurses at a high cost was a poor financial choice. “Instead of spending hundreds of millions on temporary workers, these wealthy hospitals should be investing in their nurses,” said Nancy Hagans, president of NYSNA. “These hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for the nurses who put their own health at risk to care for New Yorkers.”
The strike, now underway, is expected to continue until both sides can reach a resolution, with the issue of nurse safety and fair compensation central to the ongoing negotiations.
